Classic
RIDE THE PAINTED HILLS
About
When we cancelled Cycle Oregon’s slate of 2020 events last spring our plan was to navigate the pandemic until it subsided and start 2021 with another full schedule. Fast forward to today and the uncertainty around hosting events remains.
We will pay close attention to state guidelines, vaccine rollout and the potential for gatherings as we get into late spring, at which point we will make a formal announcement about events and official registration details. For now, to aid in planning, we are asking you to pencil in a ‘Save the Date’ for Classic XXXII from September 11 – 18, 2021.
While our hopes are high, we cannot in good conscience take registrations for this event at this time. If we cannot deliver the high-level Cycle Oregon experience while also efficiently complying with all safety requirements, we will not hold any events in 2021. If we can, you will be the first to know when and where! MORE
The route and event information below details the planned 2020 Classic.
Cycle Oregon laid out an incredible, reimagined event for our 32nd annual bicycle sabbatical we call Classic. Our destination will be Eastern Oregon for a week-long bike adventure through one of the most geographically diverse, awe-inspiring, other-worldly landscapes you’ll find anywhere. 2020 is all about choosing your own adventure so we’re offering multiple layover days, optional routes each day, non-cycling activities, and more opportunities to get directly involved with the communities who host us. On the bike, you’ll ride on quiet roads among scenic rivers, sweeping farmlands, famous fossil beds, dense forests, and soaring spires. Oh yeah, and you’ll see first-hand why the Painted Hills has been designated as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. This is a ride for the ages. Ride with us.
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT. This is the true frontier. The rivers, towns, passes, and canyons carry the boldness of those who came before and, in one way or another, managed to leave their mark. For generations, those that called this place home carved out lives amongst these great, colorful mounds of fine sediment banded with reds, yellows, blacks, and tans that sprawl for miles across the landscape. As we pedal through this strange, wonderful land, we begin to understand why. To explore the Painted Hills, the John Day Fossil Beds, the Malheur National Forest, and Twickenham Canyon, by way of some of Oregon’s most scenic byways, is an experience that will surely leave a mark on us all.

Tent + Porter
If you want the star treatment for your camping experience, try the immensely popular Tent + Porter Service. Click here to add to your order. (Need help adding to your order, click here.)
Imagine this: You arrive in camp and skip the trip to the baggage truck. Instead you head directly for a primo camping spot, where a spiffy 9′ x 7′ Cycle Oregon tent has been set up for you. Your luggage is waiting outside. And this process repeats itself every day. Tents fit one or two people, and the service costs $460 for the week. Tents will be the same all week, set up by 2 p.m. each day, marked with your tent number.
Tents are limited and available on a first-come, first-portered basis, so register early to ensure your spot. If two of you are sharing, only one person needs to sign up for the service. One or two chairs will be provided with each tent.
We know some of you are riding with friends and would like to be near each other when you camp, we’ve got you covered. Information regarding group requests will be sent in August.
Sleeping bags and pads are not provided, so please don’t forget to bring yours.
Getting There
Ride Logistics
The idea is to have a relaxing, enjoyable week of riding. The key to that? Take care of as many details as possible beforehand. In our logistics section you’ll find pretty much everything you need to know to make your Cycle Oregon experience a great one.
Rider Guests
Rider Guest Passes.
Space is very limited in some of our host sites, which limits our capacity for Rider Guests and Support Vehicles. We cannot accommodate personal vehicles beyond this limited capacity (even if it is just a Prius).
Vehicle Registration Fee
A registration fee of $500 is required for each Rider Guest/Support Vehicle. The fee includes access to the services provided at the overnight site including showers, restrooms, beer garden, daily entertainment, other food vendors, and medical tent. It does not include food. Food can be purchased for an additional fee during the registration process.
Important considerations about the Rider Guest/Support Vehicle parking program:
- Vehicles must register – Anyone accompanying a rider through the week in a vehicle must register through the Rider Guest/Support Vehicle program.
- Tent Camping – Some of the Rider Guest/Support Vehicle locations will have grass nearby for tent camping, others will not.
- Rider Guests and Support Vehicles drive alternate routes to each overnight location – To enhance the safety of riders and their overall experience, Rider Guests and Support Vehicles will be asked to take alternate roads to the overnight site wherever possible (directions will be provided).
- Rider Guests and Support Vehicle drivers are not registered riders, and so should not be riding the route each day.
- Rider Guest/Support Vehicle campsites will be as close to the rider venues as possible – While the Rider Guest/Support Vehicle area is not an RV park – more likely it’s a city park, someone’s field or a parking lot – hook-ups (water, electricity and dumping stations) are provided when available.
- Quiet Hours – When possible, we try and locate vehicles that have generators separately from those without. In addition, the Rider Guest/Support Vehicle area will observe quiet hours (no generators) from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.
Click here to purchase a Rider Guest vehicle registration and Meal Band.
Event Policies and FAQs
We understand things happen in life and sometimes you have to cancel your registration. We want to make it as easy as possible to do so. Please note we do not make exceptions in our cancellation policy (including family, medical, or employment situations). We cannot offer credits or transfers. Trip insurance is available for purchase during registration.
Click here to review our cancellation polices.
Ride Archive
Relive rides of yore with our handy ride archive: